A life without fear? A Call for Collective Action against Learning Disability Hate Crime

1 Researched and published by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, part of the Mental Health Foundation, and supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Suggested citation: Simmonds, R., Burke, C., Ahearn, E. R., and Kousoulis, A. A Life without Fear? A Call for Collective Action against Learning Disability Hate Crime. Mental Health Foundation: London, 2018 Design: White Halo Design

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© Foundation for People with Learning Disabilites 2018 changing lives 2 “Learning disability hate crime shouldn’t be happening anymore!”

Member of the reference group

This PDF report complements an online digitalised report, which can be accessed via learningdisabilityhatecrime.mentalhealth.org.uk The digitalised report acts as an important platform for the voices of victims of learning disability hate crimes to be heard and will host interactive content such as good practice films, video blogs and audio recordings. 3 We all deserve to feel safe and to be safe and this must include people with learning disabilities and people with autism. It is down to all of us to put an end to hate crime. It should not be happening anymore and it still happens far too frequently, in numbers that warrant urgent Government attention.

This project has identified examples of good practice and I suggest its now time for this to become common practice. There should be zero tolerance towards Learning disability and Autism hate crime. With the launch of this report, we are asking Her Majesty’s Government to make this a priority and to deliver an action plan that includes the reports recommendations along with a commitment to make change happen.

Professor Sheila the Baroness Hollins

4 Foreword

I am delighted to have been asked to This report has brought to the fore the write the foreword for this important real-world impacts of hate crime on report, which highlights the serious people with learning disabilities, their underreporting of learning disability hate families and the wider community around crime and the issues in protecting victims them. It is saddening to hear about the from this abhorrent abuse. level of social exclusion which many people with learning disabilities feel, and This Government, like its predecessors, the objectionable behaviour of others is clear that all forms of hate crime who manipulate vulnerable individuals for are completely unacceptable. We their own ends. published a cross-Government Hate Crime Action Plan “Action Against Hate” Government is pleased to work with in 2016 to set out our comprehensive some leading organisations to tackle strategy for tackling hate crime. The learning disability hate crime, such as Action Plan is improving the response Carlisle Mencap and Foresight (North and helping to support victims of hate East Lincolnshire), as well as on broader crime, however there is more to do. We disability hate crime, including Changing will be refreshing our Action Plan later Faces and DeafPlus. this year, which will ensure that we continue to learn and improve as well as This report tells us that people with respond to the evolving challenge, not learning disabilities are silently victimised least from social media. every day and are not receiving the level of support that they so clearly need from In my role as Minister of State for our service providers. Across agencies, Counter Extremism and also Minister Government, the third sector and beyond, or Equalities, I am aware of the we all need to work together and learn difficulties faced by people with learning from one another, as well as from this disabilities, and I am always humbled report, to ensure that this vile abuse is when I speak to victims who bravely stamped out, and victims are effectively share their experiences of hate crime. protected, so that they can live their lives without fear.

Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State for Countering Extremism

5 Message from Patricia Charlesworth, Chair of the Reference Group

People with learning disabilities are being We have been the voice for people with ignored. It is time to stop and listen to us. learning disabilities. Enough is enough. Respect us. Treat us as human beings. We It is time people with learning disabilities have feelings. It is time we are supported. are valued as equal to everyone else. It is time society says no to learning disability Learning disability hate crime destroys hate crime. the lives of people with learning disabilities. Why is more not being done? We hope the recommendations in this report are listened to, I am the chair of the ‘experts by and change happens. experience’ reference group for this project. As a reference group we have Patricia Charlesworth been involved throughout the project, Consultant Expert by Experience and directing where action is needed. We Chair of the Reference Group helped design and test the surveys, helped conduct the scheme interviews, and spoke about our own experiences of hate crime.

Heartfelt thanks to all the people with learning disabilities who agreed to be consulted and interviewed for this research, bravely sharing their experiences of learning disability hate crime.

A particular thanks to our ‘experts by Many thanks to Mick Conboy from the experience’ reference group members, Crown Prosecution Service, Mark Brookes for sharing their time and experiences: and Andie Gbedemah from Dimensions, Patricia Charlesworth, Richard Lawrence, Paulx Giannasi, the Head of the Cross- Warren Day, Richard West, Michelle Government Hate Crime Programme and McDermott, David Jeffrey, Richard Walker, Loretta Trickett for their involvement and Katy Bessent, Dominic Steel, Jeanette support of this research. Together we Gallivan-Young, Tim Sully, Graham Oliver have since formed the National Forum and Sonia Reed. for Learning Disability and Autism Hate Crime, to focus efforts in addressing We appreciate the support of Esmée inequalities for people with learning Fairbairn Foundation for funding this disabilities and autism. research. A big thank you to previous members of We would also like to thank all the hate staff at the Foundation for People with crime schemes that responded to the Learning Disabilities, who were involved in initial survey and to those scheme the project: Candy Worf, Camille Bou, representatives who then gave their time Jill Davies and Christine Towers. to be interviewed and filmed, providing examples of good practice.

For more information, please visit the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities’ website learningdisabilityhatecrime.mentalhealth.org.uk

6 Executive Summary

It is evident there is still much work A fair system would go a long way needed to truly comprehend the current to ensure that people with learning situation of learning disability hate disabilities are afforded justice and the crime. Although there has been keen protection of their rights to lead inclusive involvement from a variety of public safe lives like all other citizens. The and third sector organisations in the volume of hate crime reported leads development of schemes addressing to a need to further research the way learning disability hate crime, the hate crime is defined and create an underreporting of such acts limits the understanding of the broader definition. acknowledgement and understanding of We need to review the volume of hate the severity of the situation. crime experienced compared to reported crime. We have heard many horrific stories where people with learning Many people with learning disabilities disabilities did not realise they were are unaware they are experiencing victims of hate crime, particularly from acts of hate crime daily, placing them in people posing as ‘friends’. very vulnerable positions. Yet without reasonable adjustments to the justice, The low level of learning disability hate support and community systems, such crime reporting is not a surprise. Our focus horrific abuse will continue. We all groups indicated that the occurrence is deserve to feel safe to live in our homes on such regular basis that it has become and community. It is our duty to ensure the norm in their life. Our report highlights this happens. many examples of good practice. We now call for collective action against learning disability hate crime, moving from good practice to common practice.

Priorities for Action We are calling for:

The Government • to standardise police reporting systems, to ensure learning disability hate crimes are correctly recorded and reasonable adjustments are made to support the victims when reporting the incident. • to fund research to review current reporting pathways and strengthen evidence for good practice examples mentioned in this report and previous reports. • to request disaggregated statistics for hate crime against people with learning disabilities because they are more susceptible to hate crime and less likely to report it. This should be actioned by the ONS in the Crime Survey and by police in the routine recording.

The Home Office • to implement standardised protocols, unify reporting pathways and evaluation methods for TPRCs and provide a forum for services to share learnings. • to further research safe place schemes. Subject to evaluation, they can fund the Safe Place Organisation to nationally coordinate the schemes across the UK.

7 The Crown Prosecution Service • to evaluate their current schools pack and seek the support of the Department for Education in promoting the materials to schools. • to carry out regular audits to ensure incidents are correctly being flagged across police services.

The National Police Chief Council • to prioritise and mandate accredited learning disability hate crime training to all staff within the justice system. • to carry out regular audits to ensure incidents are correctly being flagged across police services.

The Department for Education • to prioritise the compulsory inclusion of learning disability hate crime training in all schools. Ofsted then needs to ensure each school is meeting this requirement. • to encourage the use of Books Beyond Words within schools.

Local Authorities • to develop and improve inclusive mainstream services and publicise local good practice examples of citizen action projects • to prioritise the implementation of learning disability hate crime action plans, using a holistic and strategic approach. • commissioners and the CQC to check that housing providers are aware of and implement standardised learning disability hate crime training and feeling safe at home programmes. This to improve reporting procedures for residents.

The Police and Crime Commissioners • to review current victim support services and work with each local authority to consult with local experts by experience and ensure services are adequately supporting victims of learning disability hate crime.

We will:

• continue to work closely with our newly developed, National Forum for Learning Disabilities and Autism Hate Crime (NFLD&AHC), as well as our experts by experience stakeholders, to develop our understanding of the issues faced by people with disabilities. • contribute to the refresh of the Home Office Action Plan on Hate Crime, which will be launched later in 2018. • publish comprehensive research on spatial analysis on disability hate crime in England and Wales. • publish a review on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent hate crime in the UK. • develop further work with other minorities affected by hate crime to gain a deeper understanding of what works in communities for prevention of hate crime.

8 Contents

Learning Disability Hate Crime – a Growing Problem, an Underreported Issue 11 What is Learning Disability Hate Crime? 11 The Impact of Hate Crime 12 A Growing Problem 12 An Underreported Issue 13 An Example of Good Practice: Guidance on Supporting Victims to Report Hate Crime 14 Current Context 15 A Focus on Highlighting Good Practice 16 The Involvement of Experts by Experience 16 An Example of Good Practice: Citizen Action 16

Learning Disability Hate Crime Prevalence 18 A Scoping Survey of Current Schemes Addressing Learning Disability Hate Crime 18 Survey Design 18 Key Findings 18 An Example of Good Practice: An Awareness Campaign 19 Summary 20 An Example of Good Practice: ‘Expert by Experience’ Led Police Training 20 Mapping of Disability Hate Crime in England and Wales 21 The Case of Lancashire: Evidence of Good Practice 22

Evaluation of Current Schemes Addressing Learning Disability Hate Crime 25 Evaluation Practices 25 Design 25 Summary 25

Feeling Safe in the Community 27 An Overview of Safe Place Schemes 27 The National Safe Place Organisation 27 MacIntyre Safe Places Training 28 Keep Safe Cymru Scheme 28 Avon and Somerset Safe Place Scheme 29 Summary 29

Feeling Safe at Home 30 Cases of Abuse 30 Scoping Focus Groups with Residents 31 Design 31 Findings 31 Summary 32

Feeling Safe to Report 34 Current Action on Hate Crime Reporting 34 What are Third Party Reporting Centres? 36 Hampshire Police 37 Cumbria Constabulary 37 Stop Hate UK 38 Summary 39

Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations 40 Preventing Hate Crime 41 Responding to Hate Crime 41 Reporting of Hate Crime 41 Support for the Victims of Hate Crime 42 Hate Crime Data 42

9 Section A Understanding the Extent of Learning Disability Hate Crime

10 Learning Disability Hate Crime – a Growing Problem, an Underreported Issue

Everyone has the right Learning disability hate crimes are to live in safety, with often acts of opportunity and steeped dignity and respect. [Learning in vulgarity. They can also take on a calculated and cynical nature, exploiting disability hate crime] shouldn’t the vulnerability of individuals. The be happening anymore. There loneliness experienced by some people should be strong communities with learning disabilities puts them at so that people don’t feel substantial risk of being targeted and threatened and we all have subjected to such acts of cruelty. a part to play. We need to be For example, so called ‘mate crime’ is talking to each other and sharing a form of learning disability hate crime. information about how It is when a person who is perceived to best support people. as vulnerable, such as a person with a Reference group member learning disability or autism, is befriended by someone who then uses the relationship to exploit or abuse them. The NAS Careless campaign reported 49% What is Learning of adults with autism had been abused, 27% had money or possessions stolen, Disability Hate Crime? and 37% had been forced or manipulated to do something they didn’t want to do, all Learning disability hate crime is any by someone they thought of as a friend.2 criminal offence that is perceived – by the victim or any other person – to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s learning disability Perpetrators of mate or perceived learning disability. It can crime prey on the most take many forms, including verbal abuse, vulnerable people in society and physical abuse, threatening behaviour, do so in the knowledge that these bullying/teasing, online/phone abuse, crimes often go unreported. It is and damage to property/theft. morally reprehensible, Through the spread of fear, abuse and they are cowards. and violence, persistent acts of hate CEO, Autism Together3 crime – which can only be described as cruel – can cause people with learning disabilities or other perceived vulnerabilities such as autism to become isolated and segregated from society. For example, the National Autistic Society’s (NAS) Careless campaign reported that 44% of adults with autism said they stay at home because they are afraid of being abused or harassed when out in the community.1

1. The National Autistic Society. (2014). Careless. London: The National Autistic Society. 2. ibid 3. Autism Together. (2015). Mate Crime in Merseyside. Accessed via: http://www.autismtogether.co.uk/ wp-content/uploads/2015/07/WAS-mate-crime-report-June-2015.pdf 11 The Impact of A Growing Problem Hate Crime According to Mencap’s ‘Living in Fear’ report, as many as 9 out of 10 people Hate crime can be totally with learning disabilities have been a devastating for disabled victim of hate crime and/or harassment people and rob them of their and are more likely to suffer repeated confidence. Some survivors victimisation, with 32% experiencing such have been left so traumatised acts on a weekly basis.6 More recently Dimensions launched a national survey they remain trapped in focusing on determining the current their homes out of fear. level of autism and learning disability CEO, Leonard Cheshire Disability4 hate crime in the UK. It found 73% of respondents had experienced disability hate crime, with over half experiencing The impact of learning disability hate such acts within the last year.7 crime on an individual and their family can be devastating, detrimentally However, many find it difficult to identify impacting their social, psychological and such manipulative acts as learning physical wellbeing. Due to the nature disability hate crime, despite the cruel, of hate crime targeting the personal frightening and psychologically damaging characteristic of their learning disability, impacts. This is particularly evident individuals can often feel fearful of further around ‘lower level’ public order offences incidents and isolation. and intimidation issues such as verbal abuse. Some perpetrators offend with a The Leicester Hate Crime Project found sense of impunity, as they are aware that respondents who felt they had been many people with learning disabilities targeted because of their learning feel powerless in such situations. From disabilities, were more likely to say their their survey, Mencap reported that many quality of life had been very significantly people with learning disabilities disclosed affected by their most recent coping with bullying for so long that they experience of hate crime. It also reported saw it as distressing but an inevitable part 26% of those targeted because of their of everyday life.8 Consequently, without learning disabilities were more likely people with learning disabilities being to report feeling suicidal as a result of 5 supported to recognise acts of hate crime their victimisation. and understand their options to report such incidents, learning disability hate crime will continue to be underreported.

There is a lack of understanding on what constitutes learning disability hate crime amongst front-line staff and supporting organisations. As gatekeepers to the criminal justice system, it is essential police forces are adequately equipped to effectively respond to and support victims of learning disability hate crime.

4. Leonard Cheshire Disability. (2017). Fear of hostility prevents a third of disabled people from going out. Accessed via: https://www.leonardcheshire.org/support-and-information/latest-news/press- releases/fear-hostility-prevents-third-disabled-people 5. University of Leicester. (2014). The Leicester Hate Crime Project: Findings and Conclusions. Accessed via: https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/criminology/hate/documents/fc-full-report 6. Mencap. (2000) Living in Fear: the need to combat bullying of people with a learning disability. Cited on: https://www.mencap.org.uk/blog/four-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-disability-hate- crime 7. Dimensions. (2016). #I’m with Sam. Accessed from: https://www.dimensions-uk.org/case-study/ imwithsam-experiences-hate-crime/ 8. Mencap. (2000). Living in Fear: the need to combat bullying of people with a learning disability. 9. Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates. (2013). Living in a Different World: Joint Review of Disability Hate Crime. Accessed via: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/media/a-joint-review-of- disability-hate-crime-living-in-a-different-world-20130321.pdf 12 Uncertainty as to whether a victim was Learning disability hate crime is known targeted because of prejudice or hostility to be significantly underreported and this directed towards their disability or not, continues to be a prevalent limitation to and a reluctance in officers to ask victims, the success of any learning disability hate causes errors in the recording of data crime prevention strategy. related to disability hate crime.9 In 2016/17, 80,393 hate crimes were In 2011, the Equality and Human Rights recorded by the police in England and Commission (EHRC) inquiry, ‘Hidden in Wales, which is an increase of 29% Plain Sight’, stated that there had been compared with 2015/16.13 At present, a systematic failure by public authorities learning disability hate crime is not to recognise the extent and impact statistically segregated in reports from of harassment and abuse of disabled criminal justice services, but recorded people, to take preventative action and to under the generalised term of disability intervene effectively when it happened.10 hate crime. In 2016/17, it was reported This is particularly evident in cases that disability hate crime accounted involving ongoing ‘low-level’ hate crime for 7% of all hate crimes recorded by incidents, which, although are difficult to the police – a 53% increase from the capture, are often missed or incorrectly previous year.14 Although there have reported by the police. been indications of improvement in the recording of disability hate crime, it is still The EHRC recommended that a single heavily underreported. For example, West new terminology needed to be adopted Yorkshire Police reported a 71% increase to replace the term ‘hate crime’ relative in recorded disability hate crimes and to acts against people with learning incidences from April 2017 to January disabilities, for example ‘disability 2018. However only 9% of all hate crimes motivated’, ‘identity-targeted’ or ‘hostility’ and incidences recorded from April crimes and incidents.11 This is due to 2017 to January 2018 were marked as victims and service providers failing to disability hate crimes.15 recognise the association of hostility and prejudice as potential motivating In 2013, NAS found that 94% of survey factors for learning disability hate crime. respondents had experienced forms Therefore, often such acts of are assigned of abuse and bullying, with 65% of other explanatory motives. respondents experiencing disability hate crime on more than 10 occasions. However, the survey also found that 73% of respondents didn’t report the An Underreported Issue incident to the police. Of those that did, 54% said it wasn’t recorded as a hate Often it is the more violent crime and 40% said the police did not and extreme acts of act on their report.16 targeted hostility which attract media, political and academic attention while the experience and cumulative harms of the more ‘ordinary’ everyday forms of abuse, bullying and harassment go unacknowledged. The Leicester Hate Crime Project12

10. The Equality and Human Rights Commission. (2011). Hidden in Plain Sight. Accessed via: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/ehrc_hidden_in_plain_sight_3.pdf 11. ibid 12. University of Leicester. (2014). The Leicester Hate Crime Project: Findings and Conclusions. 13. Home Office. (2017) Hate Crime, England and Wales, 2016/2017: Statistical Bulletin. Accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2016-to-2017 14. ibid 15. Autism Together. (2018). United Response to tackle disability hate crimes as new figures reveal huge surge. Cited in: https://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/News/charity-united-response-tackle-disability- hate-crimes-new-figures 16. The National Autistic Society (2014) Careless. London: The National Autistic Society. 13 An Example of Good Practice: Guidance on Supporting Victims to Report Hate Crime

United Response United Response is a charity focusing on ensuring that individuals with learning disabilities, mental or physical support needs, can live their lives to the full and have equal access to the same rights and opportunities. The charity is working closely with West Yorkshire Police. Together they have compiled a training resource pack. The resource pack provides guidance to support workers on how to have conversations with people with disabilities explaining what a hate crime is in easy-to-understand language. This helps people to identify whether they have been a victim of hate crime.

“[Disability hate crime] is often a hidden and underreported crime. Victims can sometimes lack the confidence in coming forward and reporting this to the authorities. Sometimes they don’t realise they have even experienced a hate crime. That’s why this resource pack we’ve helped put together and the training United Response’s staff have undertaken is so crucial.” Hate Crime Co-ordinator for West Yorkshire Police

“We all have a duty to take action and work in partnership to tackle hate crime and support victims. I fully support the work of United Response focusing on disability hate crime which is helping to make a real difference in our communities. It’s a great initiative.” West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC)

For more information and to download the resource pack, with an additional easy read hate crime reporting form, visit www.unitedresponse.org.uk

Previous analysis of the Crime Survey for In 2012, the Government published England and Wales data found that the ‘Challenge it, Report it, Stop it’. This underreporting of hate crime is due to the publication aimed to raise the profile following reasons:17 of hate crime, ascertaining it as a continuous priority for police forces • Lack of police action (43%) nationally, and for other criminal justice • The incident seemed trivial (21%) partners such as the Crown Prosecution • The crime was dealt with privately Service (CPS). (12%) The plan focused on three core principles: • The crime is a common occurrence improvement through prevention, (10%) increased reporting and access to • Fear/ distrust of the police (8%) support, and improving the response to hate crime.18 However, in November • Fear of reprisal (8%) 2013 a subsequent follow-up report • Reported to other authorities (2%) suggested that whilst there had been some improvement, much still remained • Inconvenient to report (1%) to be done.19 The Home Office have subsequently published the ‘Action Against Hate’ plan to address the issues raised.20

17. Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Office for National Statistics and Ministry of Justice. (2013) An overview of hate crime in England and Wales. Accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/an-overview-of-hate-crime-in-england-and-wales 18. HM Government. (2012). Challenge it, Report it, Stop it: The Government’s Plan to Tackle Hate Crime. Accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/challenge-it-report-it-stop-it 19. HM Government. (2014). Challenge it, Report it, Stop it: Progress Report. Accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hate-crime-action-plan-challenge-it-report-it-stop-it 20. Home Office. (2016) Action Against Hate. Accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/hate-crime-action-plan-2016 14 Additionally, the ‘Living in a different People with learning world: Joint review of disability hate disabilities are being ignored. crime’ inspection report stated the need Stop and listen to us. Support us, to focus on (a) improving awareness of what disability hate crime is; (b) respect us. Don’t patronise increasing the reporting of disability me. Meet me halfway. hate crime; and (c) embedding disability Member of the reference group hate crime processes within the routine working practices of the police, CPS and 21 probation staff. In 2012, the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities (FPLD), in While acknowledging the complexities partnership with Lemos and Crane, involved, it was hoped that the published the ‘Loneliness and Cruelty’ opportunity would be taken to adapt and report.24 The report became a haunting change the criminal justice system to representation of the cruel acts of provide an improved service, prioritising hate crime continually experienced by seven key recommendations to be taken individuals with learning disabilities. forward. However, in 2015, the CJJI It found that the majority of those published a review on the initial report responsible for such incidents were and found that the opportunity to provide neighbours or people known in their a new impetus had not been taken, and locality, where “cruelty [becomes] consequently, insufficient progress had contagious in uncivilised communities”. been made in relation to the seven key 22 Therefore, the report became an recommendations. important platform for the voices of people with learning disabilities could be heard. Current Context The ‘Loneliness and Cruelty’ report Following on from several serious, highly acknowledged the need for improved publicised and harrowing cases of access within the criminal justice system, learning disability hate crime, such as the providing a supportive environment for deaths of Fiona and Frankie Pilkington, people with learning disabilities to report the need for research into the prevalence hate crime. The report also stressed of learning disability hate crime was the importance of strengthening the clearly apparent. Such tragic cases are relationships between people with merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of the learning disabilities with others in the current situation of learning disability community and instilling a sense of hate crime, and the devastating impacts responsibility and accountability in the for individuals. This was stressed in the wider community. ‘Getting Away with Murder’ report.23 The report examined the prevalence of hate In addressing the social problems crime against deaf and disabled people of loneliness and cruelty, the report in the UK and investigated the reasons suggested that community-based behind its low profile and prosecution approaches needed to be developed. rate. It presented cases of disability Their role should be on supporting hate crime to show that the roots of individuals with learning disabilities such incidents lie in contempt rather to establish relationships within their than fear. However, disability hate crime communities and provide a supportive remains largely invisible. Its existence environment to appropriately and is frequently denied, incidents are often sensitively deal with acts of learning underreported, and the reports are disability hate crime. By developing the commonly mismanaged, meaning that social capital paradigm, the prospect the perpetrators of disability hate crime would be to counter the loneliness often go unpunished. experienced by many people with learning disabilities, which contributes

21. Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates. (2013). Living in a Different World: Joint Review of Disability Hate Crime. 22. Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates. (2015) Joint Review of Disability Hate Crime Follow Up. Accessed via: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/cjji/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/05/ CJJI_DHCFU_May15_rpt.pdf 23. Scope. (2008) Getting Away with Murder. Accessed via: https://www.scope.org.uk/Scope/media/ Images/Publication%20Directory/Getting-away-with-murder.pdf?ext=.pdf 24. Lemos and Crane. (2012). Loneliness and Cruelty. London Accessed via: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/learningdisabilities 15 to acts of learning disability hate The Home Office report ‘Action Against crime remaining hidden. It provides an Hate’ sets out the UK Government’s opportunity for current cultural ignorance plan of action to address hate crime to be challenged, and the development until May 2020.25 The following report of a supportive, inclusive community highlights areas for reform, based on founded on a no tolerance towards evidence of good practice, which should learning disability hate crime. be addressed in the update of the ‘Action Against Hate’ report. Additionally, the ‘Loneliness and Cruelty’ report recommended the improvement in current mainstream services, to improve access for victims of learning The Involvement of disability hate crimes and strengthen the Experts by Experience support services. Involving people with learning disabilities Although many resources and within the research itself and its approaches have been developed and development has been a fundamental tested in collaboration with people with principle throughout this project. Central to learning disabilities, there is a need for this was the development of an ‘experts by wider dissemination of current strategic experience’ reference group, who guides methods in addressing learning disability our research and ensures the voices of hate crime. A wider outreach will enable a people with learning disabilities are heard. strengthened collective effort to prevent Members of the reference group and other and prosecute acts of learning disability local advocates share and voice their own hate crime. personal stories. Their stories detail not just their personal experiences of learning disability hate crime, but also show their emotional resilience and strength in taking A Focus on Highlighting personal action by building networks of Good Practice support and engagement within society. Our report aims to map and evaluate It is important to support and empower schemes addressing learning disability people with learning disabilities to lead full hate crime across the UK. It will create an and inclusive lives in the community, with understanding of how current schemes appropriate support and systems in place operate, gather evidence of good practice to recognise and pertinently deal with – highlighted throughout our report – learning disability hate crime incidents. and thus develop recommendations to We should all be able to feel safe to live be taken forward to influence change and engage in our communities, with the in policy and the strategic approach to understanding that there is no tolerance addressing learning disability hate crime. for acts of learning disability hate crime.

An Example of Good Practice: Citizen Action

The Friendship Group A learning disability involvement officer for East Sussex County Council, supports the Involvement Matters Team – a group of self-advocates with learning disabilities representing the views of people with learning disabilities in East Sussex. An active member of the Involvement Matters Team set up a friendship group at a local Wetherspoons pub.

The staff at the pub have supported this group, ensuring there is always a table reserved for the group and a welcoming atmosphere. This group provides people with learning disabilities an opportunity to come together and socialise in a community environment every Tuesday and Saturday.

The group promotes the concept of peer support, but also social inclusion within a community environment. It started out with four members and has since grown to over 30 members.

25. Home Office. (2016) Action Against Hate. Accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/hate-crime-action-plan-2016 16 If only people with learning disabilities are given the chance and the support to reach their full potential, that is really what is important.

People with learning disabilities have the right to a voice. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Speak up. Don’t let anyone tell you any different.

We all have something to give… If only they are given the chance and the support to reach their full potential.

17 Learning Disability Hate Crime Prevalence

The survey was then launched in April A Scoping Survey 2016 for four weeks. It was distributed of Current Schemes via a press release, social media, the FPLD newsletter, the UK Health and Addressing Learning Learning Disability Network and the Disability Hate Crime Choice forum, as well as by direct email to our database contacts. Survey Design The survey was designed in collaboration Key Findings with the ‘experts by experience’ reference group. It focused on identifying Despite the encouraging emergence schemes and initiatives across the of schemes addressing and raising UK that address learning disability awareness of learning disability hate crime hate crime. The survey comprised 82 across the UK, there are currently few questions to understand current scheme opportunities for learnings to be shared operations and evaluative practices. across communities. Consequently, by conducting a scoping survey, our research To ensure the survey was clear and easy aimed to identify current schemes and to understand, standard definitions for highlight evidence of good practice. learning disabilities, learning disability hate crime and mate crime were included. The survey received 159 responses from Although included within the survey, schemes across the UK, with 123 fully we oppose the term ‘mate crime’, as it completed. In some cases, there was belittles the very serious nature of the duplication of the responses due to certain crime. We would advocate for a different projects being run by various partner term to be used across the sectors organisations, and in other cases schemes addressing learning disability hate crime. failed to answer all the questions. The survey was very in-depth, taking an average The survey was designed and of 25 minutes to complete. distributed on Survey Monkey®, allowing for ease in the collection and The survey found that 92% of the responses analysis of data. Prior to the survey referred to schemes operating in England, being launched, both the members of 4% in Wales and 2% in both Scotland and the reference group and the stakeholder Northern Ireland. Over 78% of the schemes group were asked to test the survey, specifically covered their local authority allowing for any errors to be identified area, with more than 36% of the schemes and corrected before disseminating currently offer more than one service. The it to the wider audience. This stage main types of schemes included: was important to ensure the survey • Campaigns raising awareness of was accessible and that the questions learning disability hate crime (59%) targeted the necessary information. • Schemes providing support to people with learning disabilities in a To ensure that the survey was widely community setting (48%) promoted, we spent time developing a database of organisations who • Schemes offering advocacy to learning would potentially either be involved disability hate crime victims and in addressing learning disability hate providing an opportunity to report such crime or be able to signpost to local incidents (40%) organisations that are. The database included local and national learning Additionally, 80% of the schemes that disability charities and networks, police responded also detailed forms of training forces, advocacy groups, academics and provision – both internally (to staff) and other disability networks. externally (to other organisations or in community settings) – to raise awareness of learning disability hate crime.

18 An Example of Good Practice: An Awareness Campaign

I’m with Sam Campaign (www.dimensions-uk.org/withSam)

“Hate crime can wreck lives. It creates a huge mental health problem for people with learning disabilities and autism – people who often don’t have the ability to understand or cope with it.” Mark Brookes, Hate Crime Ambassador

In October 2016, Dimensions launched the ‘I’m with Sam’ campaign. The campaign was developed as a result of research into reports of learning disability hate crime, which found 73% of people with learning disabilities had been victims of hate crime.

The campaign identified the principal issues underpinning learning disability hate crime and is a statement of support. By standing with Sam you are standing up to learning disability hate crime and supporting people with learning disabilities and autism.

The campaign developed a blueprint for change, comprising eight principal goals:

Separate disability hate statistics into learning disability/autism 1 and other disabilities. 2 Change the law to make disability hate a crime online. The Department for Education to adapt resources to better 3 support all primary and secondary schools with positive messages around difference.

Manufacturers to incorporate greater learning disability sensitivity 4 into toys, games and other children’s entertainment.

The Department of Health to develop simple guidance to help 5 families and support workers identify and manage cases of hate crime.

The CPS to improve investigation protocols within the criminal 6 justice system in situations where there is a learning-disabled victim.

The Home Office to improve resources and training for police 7 officers and others to help them when receiving a report of hate crime from a person with a learning disability or autism, including funding self-advocates to provide specialist victim support.

The campaign will evaluate the effectiveness of new legislation 8 on people with learning disabilities or autism, leading to specific change recommendations and/or a green paper recommendation on stronger legislation to protect vulnerable people from learning disability hate crime.

19 Summary

From the survey it was reassuring to report that 57% of the schemes that responded currently involve people with learning disabilities, whether this is via paid employment or on a volunteer basis. ‘Experts by experience’ can be invaluable in the facilitation and structuring of service provision. Although this 57% from the survey is positive, the involvement and utilisation of the skills and experiences of people with learning disabilities, is an aspect of service provision that needs to be continually improved upon and strengthened in all schemes.

The main concern raised by the schemes in our survey responses was the continuation of service provision and funding. Over 36% of respondents had no official funding in place for the 2016–2017 operation year and, of those with funding, 67% reported they will receive less funding than the previous financial year. The financial strain placed on such schemes is causing many to struggle to maintain service provision to a proficient standard and meet set targets and expectations.

An Example of Good Practice: ‘Expert by Experience’ Led Police Training

Surrey Police Training Programme by Dimensions “Our aim is to make all aware of the needs of people with learning disabilities. Training for police is crucial and understanding the research and what it tells us to get a real understand of people’s behaviour and how they may not understand that something is a disability hate crime but also how to report.” Sailesh Limbachia, Detective Chief Inspector and Hate Crime Lead for Surrey Police

Dimensions have been delivering training workshops to Surrey Police officers, to help create an understanding of how to sensitively support people with learning disabilities and autism who have been victim of hate crimes. The workshops ensure that ‘experts by experience’ are leading all training and share their stories of hate crime. A broad programme of training is covered, from the history of learning disabilities to how stigma and discrimination can develop, and from listening to personal stories of hate crime to the best ways of supporting an individual with learning disabilities or autism.

An important aspect of the workshops is providing face-to-face contact with the ‘experts by experience’ trainers and a providing an opportunity to ask questions and develop alternative ways of responding to a victim of learning disability hate crime.

Police officers who have attended the training have positively responded, and support the training being led by ‘expects by experience’. The workshops also raise awareness of the low reporting statistics of learning disability hate crime. Many individuals with learning disabilities may not recognise themselves as a victim of hate crime. Also, incident reports may be incorrectly reported. Therefore, what the police might classify as antisocial behaviour has a cumulative effect on people with a learning disability who may live in fear and stop going out. Therefore, it is important to build awareness with the police and the community of what acts of learning disability hate crime might look like.

“Crimes is underreported and under-recorded. Police need to understand how people tell their story and that they are more likely to not report it. Understand the tragic cases and work through those and unpick so that they can learn from these.” Mark Brookes, Dimensions

20 With assistance from the ‘experts by The following spatial analysis collected experience’ reference group, the schemes data from 43 police force areas regarding and initiatives from the survey were the number of hate crimes, the total plotted onto a digital map of the UK and population, the number of police officers, colour-coded into the three main themes and the results of a population-based that emerged: police confidence survey. Data regarding hate crime rates, the Crime Survey from • Raising awareness and providing England and Wales, and additional training on learning disability hate geographic information were also crime collected.27,28 • Providing support to people with learning disabilities within a community Overall, the results demonstrated that setting disability hate crime is more common, • Providing learning disability hate crime in absolute numbers, in areas with high reporting services population density such as London, Manchester and Cardiff. However, The interactive map provided a even when factoring in population rate, visualisation of the scoping survey data areas with higher density continued to and highlighted key service provisions present as areas with higher rates of and gaps in distribution across the hate crime. One possible explanation for UK, which were further investigated. A this is that areas with higher population link to the interactive map is included density also experience higher rates of in the digitalised report, which can unemployment, financial hardship and be accessed via the FPLD website: criminality, such as gang involvement, all learningdisabilitieshatecrime. of which could increase general crime mentalhealth.org.uk rates as well as crimes against people with disabilities.

Alternatively, it could be argued that Mapping of Disability the difficulties surrounding criminality in highly built-up areas promote more Hate Crime in England investment into the area’s police and and Wales justice systems. Therefore, crime rates in these areas are perhaps reflective not In addition to the scoping survey, we specifically of higher numbers of crimes, explored the distribution of disability but of better monitoring, reporting and hate crime through a spatial mapping prosecutions following vigilant and of England and Wales. Current available efficient policing. disability hate crime data does not separate out learning disability hate crime From the spatial analysis, two significant from other forms of disability hate crime. outliers were identified: Therefore, the following spatial analysis was inclusive of all disability hate crime. • Lancashire – considered a hotspot, showing unprecedentedly high rates Previous studies of the UK population of disability hate crime compared to have revealed that people with surrounding counties. disabilities are significantly more likely • Cambridgeshire – presented low rates to be exposed to violence across a of disability hate crime compared to the 12-month period, compared to those surrounding counties. without a disability.26 A detailed report on the spatial analysis will be published later in 2018 on the FPLD website: www.mentalhealth.org. uk/learning-disabilities

26. Emerson , E., & Roulstone , A. (2014) Developing an Evidence Base for Violent and Disablist Hate Crime in Britain: Findings From the Life Opportunities Survey. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29(17), 3086 – 3104. 27. Home Office. (2017) Hate Crime, England and Wales, 2016/2017: Statistical Bulletin. Accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2016-to-2017 28. Office for Nationals Statistics. (2017) Crime Survey for England and Wales. Accessed via: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/ crimeinenglandandwales/june2017 21 The Case of Lancashire: Evidence of Good Practice

Although Lancashire presented as an area with a low total hate crime rate compared to surrounding counties, it was specifically identified as a hotspot for disability hate crimes. Therefore, to understand and conceptualise the current disability hate crime strategy within Lancashire, we undertook further consultations with an array of local Lancashire organisations.

Following the consultations, it became evident that Lancashire Police and supportive organisations, have prioritised disability hate crime reporting. It has been a consistent and coordinated approach, particularly over the last seven years. It has relied on a footprint of partner organisations to work in collaboration towards the aim of raising awareness of learning disability hate crime and encouraging victims, and witnesses, to report it.

In 2010, a hate crime project, ‘Lancashire United Against Hate’, was established by a partnership between Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Unison and Preston & Western Lancashire Racial Equality Council. As part of the project, a DVD was filmed to show Lancashire as diverse, welcoming people from every community. The partnership was later commissioned by the government to produce a DVD for a national audience, using the Lancashire DVD as a template. This has since been distributed to over 300 organisations and is freely accessible via the True Vision website.

The Association of the Another aspect to Lancashire’s hate Chief Police Officers and crime strategy is the recent ‘Say No to our partners believe that one Hate Crime’ campaign, with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) calling on all of the best ways to help local residents, councils and organisations to partnerships is by recognising sign an anti-hate crime pledge: and sharing good practice from local initiatives and we do this through our dedicated hate I am clear that Lancashire crime website True Vision. The is no place for hate and Lancashire video is one of the I want people to send a clear best examples we found, and we message by signing up to the were keen to share the benefits pledge, reporting incidents with other areas. The video not when they happen and seeking only encourages victims to come support available through forward to report crime but also Lancashire Victim Services. helps to encourage positive attitudes and to promote integration in communities. Within Lancashire, there is a strong importance placed upon working 29 Superintendent Paul Giannasi collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations when coordinating and addressing issues such as learning disability hate crime. For example, Preston Police worked closely with Disability Equality NW over five years, reviewing the third-party reporting centres (TPRCs) within the area. With consultation from the local community, the emphasis on the service provision of TPRCs shifted.

29. True Vision, accessed via: http://report-it.org.uk/home 22 Rather than processing reports of The strategic approach to addressing learning disability hate crime, the learning disability hate crime in emphasis is now placed on providing Lancashire is community-led, with support to victims and signposting them key involvement in regular awareness to other services and reporting pathways. campaigns, development of schemes Therefore, victims using the TPRCs will be with ‘experts by experience’ and the provided with support and a safe place continual review of current practices. from which to then report acts of hate crime to the police or trained third-sector The process of improving learning organisations. This reduces the onus on disability hate crime incident reporting staff at the centres to complete incident has focused on developing and instilling reports, which requires time, resources, confidence in community members with training and so on. It also reduces the learning disabilities to report. Continual vulnerability of staff at the centres, as engagement with the community – incident reports can be very emotive. raising awareness and expanding work in this area – has been prioritised. Also, Additionally, in the 2013 ‘Living in a importance has been placed on training different world: Joint review of disability front-line services, especially police hate crime’ report, Lancashire was forces, to identify learning disability hate highlighted as providing training of crime and appropriately record it. good practice.30 A training package on hate crime had been developed by By initiating a combination of strategies the police and delivered to all front-line to address the understanding of staff, including police response and learning disability hate crime and how neighbourhood team officers, Police to appropriately deal with such reports, Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Lancashire’s PCC aims to address the and control room staff. The training was underreporting of such crimes and part of a centrally co-ordinated awareness provide clarity on the current situation. campaign and encompassed half a day Therefore, despite the spatial analysis on disability hate crime. identifying Lancashire as a hotspot for disability hate crime, the statistics are in The training aimed to help staff: fact testament to the concerted efforts from a partnership of organisations within • Recognise and identify the special Lancashire to raise the awareness and nature of disability hate crimes and reporting of such incidents. explore the difference between hostility and prejudice. • Recognise the common factors/ erroneous assumptions associated with disability hate crimes/incidents. • Specify a range of special measures for vulnerable victims. • Describe what autism is and recognise some of the behavioural characteristics and coping strategies. • Describe how people with autism can become victims and offenders.

30. Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates. (2013) Living in a Different World: Joint Review of Disability Hate Crime. Accessed via: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/media/a-joint-review-of- disability-hate-crime-living-in-a-different-world-20130321.pdf 23 Section B Addressing Learning Disability Hate Crime

24 Evaluation of Current Schemes Addressing Learning Disability Hate Crime Evaluation Practices Summary Although each scheme discussed Design some forms of evaluation, 8 out of the Following on from the initial scoping 10 selected schemes described their survey, 10 of the schemes that evaluative practices as being within the responded were further investigated, yellow criterion, identifying the need focusing particularly on their evaluative for further development in scheme practices. This was an important evaluation. Most of the schemes aspect to consider, as without effective mentioned verbal feedback as their main evaluation practices it would be difficult evaluative measure, which is difficult to to establish whether the schemes and quantify into statistical evidence for the initiatives are evidence of good practice. scheme’s impacts.

In collaboration with the ‘experts by Without an understanding of how a experience’ reference group, criteria scheme is performing against its concerning location and type of scheme intended aims and objectives, it is difficult were used to select and contact 30 to determine with a degree of certainty schemes (from the 123 completed if it is successfully addressing learning responses) for further information. After disability hate crime. This limitation conversing with the selected 30 schemes, in terms of evidence, which is usually 10 schemes were chosen for in-depth required for funding partners and other reviews via site visits and telephone stakeholders, can then affect other interviews. The focus of the interviews aspects of scheme development. included: details of the scheme, the strengths of the scheme, the barriers A main barrier identified by all the faced, the evaluative practices used and selected schemes was funding. Without the future objectives for the scheme. Each secured funding over an extensive period, scheme was then asked to self-select the schemes face constant restriction in their current evaluation status from the growth and uncertainty in project security. following colour-coded options: Lack of funding can have an impact on scheme delivery and its effectiveness as a service, therefore reducing a scheme’s ability to meet its aims and The scheme needs to develop an objectives. For example, this is evident in evaluation process to assess how the Safe Place scheme in Dudley, where the scheme is being used and if it is Red essential scheme operations such as addressing learning disability hate establishment checks, are struggling to crime within the area. be completed. With schemes struggling to maintain scheme operations due to poor funding, low levels of staffing The scheme has a form of evaluation, and lack of resources, establishing yet it needs to be further developed and carrying out evaluative practices to be able to statistically determine becomes very difficult. Yellow if the scheme is effectively addressing learning disability hate Another important theme from the crime in the area. scheme interviews was the development of a collective approach to addressing learning disability hate crime. The scheme has an effective A platform to share findings and learnings scheme evaluation process, which across schemes would allow for the can determine how and when the continual development of schemes Green scheme is being used and the level based on evidence from current of impact it has on learning disability successful practices. hate crime within the area.

25 With continued strain on resources and Rather than placing focus on individual individuals facing difficulty in gaining ownership of a scheme, importance access to services, particularly public needs to be placed on how best to health services, it is time to re-think support the victims of learning disability how important issues such as learning hate crime, which will most likely be disability hate crimes are addressed. through a supportive network of services.

Below is a summary table of the 10 selected schemes.

Scheme Summary

YMCA Bournemouth: Youth action project aimed at raising learning The Chatterbox Project disability awareness within the local community via campaigns, community training and a magazine written by ‘experts by experience.’

The Advocacy Project: Training led by ‘experts by experience’ aimed at Support to Report increasing awareness and understanding of how to report learning disability hate crime.

Leonard Cheshire An advocacy service set up to raise awareness Disability: Hate Crime of learning disability hate crime, provide person- Advocacy Service centred support to victims, increase reporting of incidents, and improve access to policing and other relevant services.

Northamptonshire The establishment of safe locations within the LDPB: Keep Safe community where registered people with learning Scheme disabilities can receive help when in distress.

Gloucestershire A free and safe support service for vulnerable County Council: The individuals within the community, encouraging Drop-In Service inclusion and independence and providing signposting to other services within the area.

Dudley Voices for A safety net provision for vulnerable people if they Choice: Safe Place need support or reassurance when out and about Scheme in the community.

Disability Equality An awareness project including the promotion NW: Developing from of incident reporting, training to external the Negatives organisations and victim support.

Camden People First: A user-led project aiming to increase the Disability Hate and understanding and confidence of adults with Mate Crime Project learning disabilities, empowering them to report hate crime incidents.

CACH: Awareness A learning disability hate crime awareness training Training in Schools in schools.

Brandon Trust: Accessible training workshops, based on drama Keeping Safe Course activities, for people with learning disabilities to identify disability hate crime and how best to report such acts.

26 Feeling Safe in the Community

The interviews aimed to question how An Overview of the schemes are instilling feelings of Safe Place Schemes safety in people with learning disabilities, addressing challenges such as reduced Safe Place schemes, also described funding, as well as reviewing their as ‘the big society in action’, were evaluation methods and current scheme strongly identified from our survey development. Summary findings from as schemes that offer people with these interviews are outlined below, and learning disabilities places of safety in videos of the interviews can be viewed the community. Many of the schemes via the digitalised report on the FPLD are now opening the service to other website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ vulnerable groups such as individuals learningdisabilities with dementia, and/or mental health needs. Establishments such as coffee shops or libraries register to become a The National Safe Place recognised Safe Place. Once approved, Organisation they can then advertise themselves as a Safe Place, mainly via a recognised The National Safe Place Organisation sticker in the window. aims to establish a nationwide service, providing an inclusive single point of If individuals become distressed when reference for all vulnerable individuals in the community, they can enter a in need of a place of safety. The nominated safe place, present their organisation intends to address membership card and receive the fundamental flaws within the current help they need. The intention is for operation of the Safe Place schemes nominated Safe Place establishments across the UK, which include: to provide trained staff to assist • Many of the schemes operating on a vulnerable individuals, using the stand-alone basis, sometimes under individual’s membership card to contact different names and using different a nominated safe person. The scheme logos. aims to encourage individuals with • Limited information is available for learning disabilities to explore their local individual schemes, increasing the community, with the understanding that, difficulty experienced by vulnerable in times of distress, there are places to individuals when locating nominated go to for safety and help. Safe Place establishments. With a high response from Safe Place • Some areas across the UK are not schemes to the initial scoping survey, being serviced by a Safe Place scheme. it was imperative to further investigate • There is a lack of proactive educational such schemes. In-depth interviews were material, not only to teach vulnerable conducted with four different Safe Place people how to find and use Safe Places, schemes and related organisations: but also educate them on learning • The National Safe Place Organisation disability hate crime. • MacIntyre Safe Places Training Although many Safe Place schemes are • South Wales Keep Safe Cymru present across the UK, there is a lack • Avon and Somerset Safe Place Scheme of coordination in services due to them being individually operated. Encouraging a coordinated response between the schemes across the UK will improve the service for vulnerable individuals. For example, if Safe Place schemes are registered with the National Safe Place Organisation, then an individual would be

27 able to access an interactive map The involvement of ‘experts by to find their nearest registered Safe experience’ in the development and Place, whether that is within their local operation of the Keeping People Safe area or an unknown area they have scheme is integral to its effectiveness. travelled to. It is imperative that people For example, with the Champions leading with learning disabilities are supported the checks on Safe Place establishments, to become independent and feel safe to they will identify whether the places are travel and explore. meeting the necessary requirements to ensure vulnerable individuals feel safe if The need to encourage schemes visiting. They will also be able to feedback to construct efficient and effective any changes required to each Safe Place evaluation methods is also evident, and the scheme in general, covering how to ensure the service provision is it may become more accessible to people fit for purpose, and place the safety with learning disabilities (such as advising of their members at the forefront of on the most suitable venue to become a decision-making. There have been Safe Place establishment). incidences where registered Safe Place establishments within the community no longer have trained staff or current staff Keep Safe Cymru Scheme are unaware of their Safe Place status. In South Wales, the Keep Safe Cymru scheme was launched in December In some cases, Safe Place 2014. Prior to the launch, community establishments have even closed involvement was essential to ensure the without notifying the scheme operator in scheme being developed would meet the area. This inconsistency in provision the needs of vulnerable individuals within and ineffectiveness of monitoring the South Wales force area. South Wales scheme operations is detrimental to Police, Learning Disability Wales and achieving the main purpose of the Mencap Cymru jointly developed the scheme – keeping vulnerable individuals Keep Safe Cymru scheme. The scheme safe within the community. is open to all vulnerable individuals

within the community, whether they have a learning disability, a mental MacIntyre Safe Places Training health condition, dementia, or any other In Derbyshire, MacIntyre supports 140 vulnerability. people with learning disabilities. Since 2009, the charity has been supporting Although the scheme is based on a their ‘Reps on Board’ to deliver the card system, it operates from a different Keeping People Safe programme. stance to the usual Safe Place scheme Supported by Derbyshire County Council format. When individuals register to the and Derbyshire Police, the programme scheme, they still receive a membership aims to support adults with learning card, which is a standard requirement in a disabilities to recognise and address Safe Place scheme. Individuals are given hate crime, enhancing community safety. the opportunity to provide emergency The Keeping People Safe programme contact details, but they are also able has been operating in partnership to provide a statement regarding their with the Hate Crime and Staying Safe health and communication needs, which Project Steering Group, which comprises will be linked to the online police service. key stakeholders such as ‘experts by Here is an example: experience’, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Police and MacIntyre staff. How can you best support With the support of a group of Champions, comprising ‘experts by me? Listen, remain calm experience’, the Keeping Safe programme and let me know you are there to delivers hints and tips about keeping help me, so I feel supported and safe through the delivery of workshops, understood. Don’t touch me if I hosting awareness events and providing am distressed unless I say it is ok. leaflets in easy read to all adults with I panic if I’m trapped. a learning disability across Derbyshire. The Champions also play an active and Contact my family. integral part in the Safe Place scheme Service user across Derbyshire. With support, the Champions provide checks on nominated Safe Places within the community.

28 Once registered, the individual will also be Consequently, this led to an extensive given access to the police disability line review of the scheme in 2016, with – a dedicated non-emergency telephone changes to the scheme being rolled out in number. The call handler will also have May 2017. Following similar procedures access to any information provided to the Keep Safe Cymru scheme, the key on the registration number, ensuring changes to the Avon and Somerset Safe they are responding appropriately. Place scheme included the withdrawal The scheme decided to focus on from most Safe Place establishments, the establishing awareness of the scheme opening of a dedicated telephone line and within the community, consulting with the widening of the membership criteria the community to develop and adjust to include other vulnerable members of the scheme before it was then rolled out. the community. The focus on establishing a dedicated police telephone line, rather than opening The decision to withdraw from most several Safe Place establishments, was of the Safe Place establishments was to ensure the scheme could be sustained met with high resistance from the local and that it gained the confidence of community. However, this necessary community members. This approach is change was imperative in keeping the person-centred, focusing on adapting the scheme operating, sustainable and service to be accessible to all vulnerable most effective for community members, individuals in the community. especially during financially difficult times for the scheme.

Avon and Somerset Safe Funding seems to be a fundamental Place Scheme hindrance to current scheme operations. The Avon and Somerset scheme The Avon and Somerset Safe Place mentioned that, although it can scheme was originally set up in 2014. appreciate the value in the National Operated by the Avon and Somerset Safe Place Organisation, financial Police, over 350 locations for the Safe budgets and restructuring within the Place scheme were recruited. However, force prevent access to the necessary under the pressures of reduced police funding. A clear message is the need to staffing and funding cuts, the scheme build a collaborative partnership of the became increasingly difficult to maintain, Safe Place schemes, to provide the most and began to underperform. Many Safe effective service for members. Place establishments were struggling to stay open to the public or maintain trained staff due to high staff turnover. Therefore, the scheme was no longer sustainable or providing safety for those vulnerable in the community.

Summary

It is evident from our research that national co-ordination and support for Safe Place Schemes is challenging, particularly in the current financial climate. A priority is for further research to be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the current Safe Place Scheme design.

Without established evaluation practices embedded in the current schemes, it is difficult to ascertain if the schemes are meeting their projected expectations and the level of support they are providing individuals with learning disabilities or other perceived vulnerabilities in the community.

The core recommendation would be to develop a national network of Safe Place Schemes by supporting the registration of schemes to the National Safe Place Organisation. The important debate is whether the current scheme design can be adapted to be more effective, or whether the scheme design needs to be rehauled to provide a more sustainable service such as the Keep Safe Cymru scheme.

29 Feeling Safe at Home

I was at home and there Cases of Abuse was a knock at the door. It was late so I ignored it... In 2007, the public was confronted They kept knocking and I looked with the very serious effects of persistent out the spy hole and it was learning disability hate crime, with the news of the deaths of Fiona and my neighbour, yeah? I opened Frankie Pilkington. After years of the door and he came in and reporting abuse from adolescent said he’d broken up with his neighbours that were targeting Frankie girlfriend. He had to live with Pilkington due to her learning disability, me now! I didn’t know what to the mother and daughter resorted to do. He stayed there for so long taking their own lives. and he had his mates round In 2010, a further horrific hate crime was every night doing drugs. I reported where David Askew collapsed didn’t say anything, yeah? I and died at his home following an just stayed in my room. altercation with a group of young people. Despite suffering years of harassment It was my annual meeting with and antisocial behaviour and reporting my social worker, yeah? So I 88 incidents to the police from 2004 to saw them and I said that I didn’t 2010, no action to prevent this unlawful want to go home because there treatment was taken. was someone in there, yeah? These high-profile cases merely scratch They sorted it out for me and the surface of the high prevalence of called the police, but he kept learning disability hate crime. Such cases his key! The next day I went to raise the question, what is being done to do the shopping with my mate support people with learning disabilities and when I came home, my to feel safe within their own home? neighbour had been back, yeah? A common experience people with He trashed my house! My bed learning disabilities encounter is was all smashed up and posted ‘Cuckooing’ – a form of home takeover, out the window. He threw all where a vulnerable individual is of my food in the river, befriended by a stranger and eventually yeah? I had nothing left. coerced into inviting the stranger back to their home. Once there, offenders will Focus group resident often operate criminal activity including drug dealing and prostitution. Victim can often find themselves either living in one small part of their home, hiding from 0their intruders, or even resorting to moving out of the property. Many people report experiencing violence and being threatened. These encounters can last for years at a time.

Considering the impact of such examples, it also became important to draw attention, as part of our research, to the issue of learning disability hate crime being experienced within the home setting and gain an understanding from victims of how best to support them to feel safe at home again.

30 Scoping Focus Groups I wouldn’t go out for ages because I was feeling low with Residents and stuff. My care worker just Design came in with a hammer, slammed my door open and went at my A scoping exercise involving residents of six selected housing providers Xbox. She just smashed across the UK was completed. Each of it in front of me. the housing providers offered a different Focus group member accommodation setting for people with learning disabilities, including sheltered housing and short-stay The residents preferred to seek refuge housing. A questionnaire was developed, within their own home, where they can in partnership with the ‘experts by lock their doors, hide from danger and experience’ reference group, to be used use the spy hole to detect any possible as a guide for the focus groups at each approaching danger. housing provider.

In total, 109 residents across the different housing providers were involved within I was lying in bed and I the focus groups, with many volunteering woke up and men were to share their experiences of learning around me, and they ripped my disability hate crime within their home. clothes and made me give them As it was predicted that the nature of my money. They kept shouting the focus groups would be emotive, the following considerations were sensitively at me. They were with someone applied in facilitation: who I thought was my friend. • Prior notification was given to the residents of the visit and what was Focus group member going to be discussed. • The focus group was structured around refreshments, allowing for However, even within the safety of their general conversation to develop before own home, residents spoke of not being focusing on learning disability hate able to escape the abuse. Many of the crime. residents spoke of incidents where, people they thought of as a friend, had • The Mental Health Foundation’s taken advantage of them and put them in peer support practice guidance was very uncomfortable positions. employed, inviting people within the focus groups to support each other after the group facilitator left. Before then, my friend had been borrowing £20 from Findings me every time I saw him and I never got it back. We found out I was just going back to he’d taken £1000 from me my house, and somebody and I won’t see it again. said, do you know what the time Focus group member is? And I said I wasn’t sure, and then he spat in my face all of a sudden. Living in fear of experiencing torment and abuse, either outside or within Focus group member the home, can detrimentally impact the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities. Some residents spoke of how Many of the residents spoke of being they are so worried about people coming fearful to go out into their neighbourhood into their home, even at night, they due to previous experiences of abuse. struggle to sleep or eat.

31 I check the door is The focus group members also raised locked, even at night. concerns over the incorrect labelling of the learning disability hate crime Focus group member incidents. Residents spoke of feeling misunderstood and feared not being believed when raising incidents. For If anything goes wrong, example, when property has been even if anybody comes damaged, including humiliating graffiti, here to start on me again, it has often been recorded by the police as antisocial behaviour, rather than a I’m completely alone here so I learning disability hate crime. This has won’t be able led to victims within the focus groups to do anything. feeling demoralised, and powerless, as Focus group resident such crimes are not taken as seriously as they should be and the consequences for them reporting such acts seem far worse than those for the perpetrators.

An Example of Good Practice: Police and the Community

Yarrow Housing Gate Group and Hendon Police The Gate Youth group, supported by Yarrow Housing developed a training programme to raise the awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities and how best to support them to report acts of hate crime. The training forms a module for the Hendon Police Training Centre programme.

Therefore, police officers in training will be developing the skills and understanding to identify acts of learning disability hate crime and support victims of such acts.

Summary

The focus group discussions confirmed there is a need to address how to support people with learning disabilities to feel safe within their home and neighbourhood. The focus group members were all residents of housing providers. Therefore, the suggestions raised focused on how to develop a safer community within each housing provider setting.

Residents spoke of wanting housing providers to raise awareness of what learning disability hate crime is and teach them how to be aware and protect themselves from such incidents. They also wanted someone to be a contact within the housing setting to report any incidents. It is important to them that they know the named person and feel supported by them. This exercise raised the need to address the safety of people with learning disabilities within their home, protecting them from acts of learning disability hate crime.

32 An Example of Good Practice: A Working Partnership between the Police and a Housing Association

KeyRing Housing Association KeyRing Housing Association aims to support people with learning disabilities to live independently in the community. They currently fund the community living volunteering programmes, which focuses on supporting people with learning disabilities to engage with their local community, but also feel safe to do so independently.

The community living volunteers run a support group hub, in partnership with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). This group provides an opportunity for the PCSOs to build a relationship with community members with learning disabilities, as well as being visible in the community. This is important so people with learning disabilities feel comfortable to share their experiences of hate crime with the PCSOs.

The community living volunteering programme also work with community members to develop awareness materials around being safe in the community and understanding what learning disability hate crime is.

“It is important to build a partnership with organisations such as KeyRing, as they can build the bridge to a community that we as police find hard to reach. They help us get to know their members and for them to get to know us. The group they run, the hub in Frome, is important as we can offer guidance on prevention, reassurance, signposting or crime reduction advice.” PCSO, Froome

33 Feeling Safe to Report

The CPS has also developed Current Action on prosecution guidance stating factors Hate Crime Reporting to be taken into consideration when reviewing cases and prosecuting offences Learning disability hate crime is known classified as disability hate crime. In the to be significantly underreported and public statement on prosecuting this continues to be a prevalent limitation disability hate crime and other crimes to the success of any learning disability against disabled people, the CPS stated hate crime prevention strategy. priorities were to:32

This was highlighted in the CJJI review, • Not make assumptions about a and the CPS has since reviewed and disabled victim’s reliability or credibility, amended disability hate crime protocols, and challenge others who do so. including:31 • Ensure that disabled people are aware • Mandating disability hate crime training of the support that is available to them for all prosecutors. to give their best evidence. • Introducing a quality assurance • Be more likely to prosecute cases scheme which sees all disability hate where disability is a factor, including crime cases checked every month. disability hate crimes where there is sufficient evidence to do so. • Engaging with community stakeholders to help revise the public statement on • Be mindful that language is important disability hate crime. and only use the term ‘vulnerable’ in relation to disabled people when it is • Utilising a range of feedback to update appropriate in the context of the law and expand key documents such as and facts of the case. the Disability Hate Crime and other crimes against Disabled people • Recognise that the stereotype- prosecution guidance. based belief that a disabled person is ‘vulnerable’ forms the backdrop of disability hate crime and crimes against disabled people and can even be a motivating factor in crimes committed against them.

31. Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates. (2015) Joint Review of Disability Hate Crime Follow Up. Accessed via: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/cjji/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/05/ CJJI_DHCFU_May15_rpt.pdf 32. Crown Prosecution Service. (2017). Public statement on prosecuting disability hate crime and other crimes against disabled people. https://www.cps.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/publications/ disability-hate-crime-public%2520statement-2017.pdf 34 An Example of Good Practice: Breaking Down Communication Barriers

Books Beyond Words Books Beyond Words are coloured picture books, designed to act as a communication tool to support people with learning disabilities to understand situations they might find difficult. They enable professionals and others supporting people with learning disabilities, to communicate more clearly.

The use of pictures rather than words as a tool for engagement, can make the appointment much easier and more beneficial for the person with a learning disability. The books not only allow for people with learning disabilities to understand situations they may encounter, but they also enable them to tell their own stories. The books create a two-way conversation.

Books Beyond Words was founded 25 years ago by Baroness Sheila Hollins, a professor of psychiatry at St George’s, University of London. Currently there are 58 individual books, each covering a different situation a person may face. There are 3 books which focus on supporting an individual with a learning disability when involved in criminal justice action: Going to Court, Mugged and Supporting Victims.

Visit www.booksbeyondwords.co.uk for more information and access to the books.

An important factor in addressing the This cross-sector, multi-agency underreporting of learning disability hate response is led by the Police Hate Crime crime, is to reduce the barriers for victims, Coordinator, with the aim of: ensuring reasonable adjustments are • Reducing and preventing hate crime available and explained to victims. incidents through the delivery of targeted educational materials and An important issue to address awareness campaigns. surrounding the underreporting of learning disability hate crime incidents, is • Improving the access to support for the compounding problem of incorrectly victims, working in partnership with flagging and reporting of such incidents. Victim Support. It is important to flag a learning disability • Improving the accuracy of the hate crime as soon as possible, to ensure recording and the collating hate crime the correct support is made available data within the police service. to the victim and facilitates a proactive investigation of the evidence.

Many police forces are restructuring current hate crime strategies to address such issues and improve the awareness of and response to such incidents. For example, following consultations during Hate Crime Awareness Week 2015, Gloucestershire Police and associated organisations established the Gloucestershire Hate Crime and Hate Incident Coordinated Response Strategy 2016–2021.33

33. Gloucestershire Hate Crime and Hate Incident coordinated Response Strategy 2016 – 2021. Accessed via: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/media/4212/gloucestershire-hate-crime- strategy-2016-2021.pdf 35 An Example of Good Practice: Identification System to Flag Learning Disability Hate Crime

Pegasus Surrey police have introduced the Pegasus computer system, which automatically flags if the caller has a learning disability or autism. Currently there are over 500 people within the community, predominately people with learning disabilities or autism, who are signed up to the Pegasus programme.

Each individual is given a unique pin number, which is then linked to any previous incidents and highlights any reasonable adjustments that need to be made in order for the Police to appropriately support the caller. The Pegasus programme therefore allows for the Police respondent to read a full history on the system and prevents a victim from reliving previous incidents.

Surrey Police have also rolled out Learning Disability Police Liaison Officers throughout the county. They have an important role in building relationships with community members with learning disabilities and autism and remove the barriers to victims to support reporting of hate crime incidents. The officers are offered extra training on learning disabilities hate crime and the current support services available to victims.

The Police Liaison Officers aim to raise awareness of learning disability hate crime, aid the communication between with the police and the community, and front an awareness of how to capture the information accurately and help signpost victims.

Surrey Police have also developed the single combined assessment of risk form (SCARF) to support their safeguarding. SCARF offers the opportunity to identify the risk of an individual to hate crime. It is a lengthy questionnaire and looks at the impact of hate crime on the individual and others who may be impacted by the hate crime incident. This process is an important mechanism that helps to categorise and identify where there is risk. It helps to improve the service from Police, ensuring current identification of such incidents. The process allows for effective signposting to support services for hate crime victims.

TPRCs aim to offer victims of hate What are Third Party crime an alternative safe place to report Reporting Centres? incidents, especially as many vulnerable individuals do not feel confident in In an effort to improve hate crime reporting to the police. reporting statistics, there has been a focus on reducing the barriers and After an initial scoping exercise via improving access to reporting pathways, an internet search, we selected three including online, telephone application TPRC schemes to investigate further to and face-to-face advocacy services. A understand current restrictions to the key reporting endeavour, established by effectiveness of TPRCs. The reviews various public-sector and third-sector were completed via telephone interviews organisations, has been third-party and referenced previous evaluative reporting centres (TPRCs). documents. The three TPRC schemes approached were: • Hampshire Police • Cumbria Constabulary • Stop Hate UK

36 Hampshire Police TPRCs have been set up nationwide, with varying levels of success, under different Hate crime is unacceptable. management and influence. Yet learnings It has no place in our from the different TPRC schemes are not widely available. Some TPRC schemes society; it doesn’t reflect the have undertaken in-depth reviews, values of our communities. identifying key failings to the scheme Everyone has a right to live structure, and therefore producing their life free of discrimination recommendations to improve the service and prejudice, to be proud of provision. Without such reviews being their identity and not to live in shared and publicised to similar schemes, learning is simply bound to just improving fear… Having more independent one scheme’s service provision. reporting centres across the Hampshire policing area will help those most vulnerable members Cumbria Constabulary of our communities feel more In response to the UK Government’s confident to come forward ‘Challenge it, Report it, Stop it’ report, and report these crimes. Cumbria Constabulary launched an investigation into its established TPRC PCC for Hampshire and the Isle of network of over 80 sites.34 The purpose of Wight (2017) the TPRCs within Cumbria was to provide:

With a 21.7% increase in hate crime incident reports from 2016 to 2017 …a safe neutral location within the county, the PCC for Hampshire within the community placed hate crime at the forefront of where people can report hate police priorities. By March 2017, there crime or hate incidents without were only three TPRCs within the having to contact the police Hampshire and Isle of Wight counties. directly. Anybody can use this Therefore, during National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017, the PCC facility regardless of whether announced the new initiative to develop they are a victim, witness, or TPRCs in all Citizens Advice offices just someone who is aware of across the counties, in addition to current information that independent sites. By the end of March needs to be reported. 2018, there were 49 TPRCs across 35 Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Cumbria Constabulary, 2013

To bring uniformity and consistency across the TPRCs in the county, the The investigation involved the use of PCC introduced guidance, information mystery shoppers to access the service and literature, which can be accessed provision in the TPRCs across the county. via the PCC’s website. With the The following results were gathered: establishment of a network of TPRCs • 14% of the listed TPRCs on Cumbria across the county, the next phase of the Constabulary’s website no longer existed. initiative is to develop effective evaluation to monitor and assess their • 90% of the TPRCs did not offer a effectiveness by the end of 2018. This friendly and confidential environment in stage of scheme development is crucial which to report a hate crime. in ensuring the best service provision is • Only 17% of front-line staff members provided for members of the community. within the TPRC’s were aware of the With the establishment of a new TPRC status as a TPRC. scheme, the question to be raised is: where is the concept of a collective voice • 87% of front-line staff in the designated in addressing hate crime? TPRCs did not exhibit empathy and support when dealing with the request for information on how to report a hate crime.

34. HM Government. (2012). Challenge it, Report it, Stop it: The Government’s Plan to Tackle Hate Crime. 35. AWAZ Cumbria. (2013). Reporting Hate Crime in Cumbria: An Impossible Task for Victims? Accessed via: https://equalitycumbria.org/awaz-cumbria/news/reporting-hate-crime-cumbria-impossible-task- victims 37 • 91% of the centres did not display This review of TPRCs is not stand-alone, any information to publicise that they with other organisations finding similar are a TPRC. results. For example, Barnet Safer Communities Partnership Board reviewed • 81% of the TPRCs did not have any TPRCs within the area in 2016. The Board hate crime information leaflets or found that most of the centres lacked any reporting forms. promotion of their role as a TPRC, with • 100% of the TPRCs did not publish many of the staff being unaware of their their opening days/times on the position as there had been no training Cumbria Constabulary website list. or updated advice since 2010, when the • 100% of TPRCs did not have TRPCs were initially established. information leaflets on additional support services for victims of hate With continual damaging reviews of crime. TPRCs, it is evident that the current TPRC scheme structure is not providing Following the investigation, Cumbria the most effective service provision Constabulary has identified further for vulnerable community members research and implemented the following reporting acts of hate crime. The focus standards to ensure hate crime is needs to be placed on how TPRCs can effectively challenged and that all collaboratively (across the UK) be evolved avenues are accessible for victims, while into an effective reporting pathway. more work is being done to support third- party reporting schemes. Stop Hate UK • Police incident logs are checked routinely and stringently to ensure hate Stop Hate UK is one of the leading incidents and crimes are recognised national organisations working to and recorded correctly. challenge all forms of hate crime and discrimination based on any aspect of • Incidents are reviewed to ensure an individual’s identity. The organisation an appropriate response has been provides independent, confidential and provided. accessible reporting and support for • A dedicated Hate Crime Manager has victims, witnesses and third parties. been appointed for the area. The organisation was formed in 1995 as • Trends and hotspots from the data a service for victims of racial harassment: collection are identified and reviewed. this was in direct response to the • Emphasis is put on working with murder of Stephen Lawrence. In 2006, it partners to support victims and reduce launched the Stop Hate Line to respond hate crime. to recommendation 16 of The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, 1999 (Stop Hate UK), • It is a standing agenda item at Daily which reads: Management Meetings. • There are regular reviews of live investigations at senior level. That all possible steps • There is a final review of all such should be taken by investigations. Police Services at local level • The Cumbria Police website will make in consultation with local third-party hate crime reporting forms Government and other agencies available, which are easy to access and and local communities to use. encourage the reporting of racist incidents and crimes. This should include: – the ability to report at locations other than police stations; and – the ability to report 24 hours a day.

38 In 2013, Stop Hate UK launched the Stop There is an opportunity to collectively Learning Disability Hate Crime Line, a provide a unified reporting pathway. service for England and Wales, which was There is also a need to understand funded by the Ministry of Justice. The and accept the individual qualities and Stop Learning Disability Hate Crime Line expertise of the different collaborative provides support to people affected by partners, and structure a strategy against learning disability hate crime within the hate crime that brings forth the strengths commissioned areas, whether as a victim, within a partnership. a witness or a third party. Stop Hate UK also has a dedicated LGBT helpline, TPRCs rely on the staff of other alongside the general hate crime helpline. organisations to take on the sensitive role of first contact for victims to report Stop Hate UK works alongside local an act of hate crime. The demands of strategic partnerships to tackle hate this are not only apparent in terms of crime and discrimination, encourage time and resources, but also in terms of reporting and support the individuals the emotional toll placed on the person and communities it affects. The helplines taking the report. Stop Hate UK offers enable people to access independent a service that can bridge this gap. The support and information 24 hours a day, use of TPRCs can be to offer a victim of every day of the year. hate crime a safe, private space to speak to a service such as Stop Hate UK. By The service provided by Stop Hate UK contacting Stop Hate UK, a hate crime provides a critical initial point of contact victim will be able to speak to a trained for victims, witnesses and third parties member of staff, offering more than just a of hate crime incidents. The aim of the form-filling service. The service provides helpline is to listen and ensure victims victims with a chance to openly speak are properly supported, but also to about their situation and be heard and manage expectations. The focus has listened to, without impositions of other been to improve hate crime reporting demands. statistics. However, there needs to be an understanding and level of perspective Hate crime incidents often uncover brought to the situation, as not all multifaceted aspects, which can be incidents will have sufficient evidence to difficult to capture. A service such as gain justice. Stop Hate UK can take a victim through the referral process and assess the most effective route for the report. The service is also able to signpost victims to other supportive organisations within the local area, depending on the needs of the victim.

Summary

TPRCs have been introduced to provide victims of hate crime an alternative reporting pathway. However, there are many issues surrounding the effectiveness of the current TPRC structure. The Home office needs review how current TPRCs are working and whether there needs to be a restricting of the service.

They need to consider implementing standardised protocols and evaluation methods for TPRCs. TPRC reviews such as the reports from Cumbria Constabulary, provide an insight into how ineffective the scheme can be in providing a supportive reporting pathway. There needs to be a platform for learning to be shared.

39 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations

Our report has focused on highlighting evidence of good practice while providing a voice for the victims of learning disability hate crime. It is unacceptable, that after years of reflection and implementation of strategies targeting learning disability hate crime, we are still witnessing such cruelty. By speaking to victims of learning disability hate crime via our focus groups and reference group, it is evident how such crimes are easily missed.

People with learning disabilities are often overlooked and pre-judged, becoming Recommendations victims of the implicit bias that exists in for Action all of us. This allows for the current system to justify its inaction towards the In the 2016 Home Office ‘Action demands of support from people with Against Hate’ report, five key areas were learning disabilities. outlined to address hate crime. The key recommendations from our report It is evident there is still much work to are listed below, under the five key be done if we are to truly comprehend Home Office report aims.36 Our report the current situation of learning disability highlighted evidence of good practice, hate crime. Although there has been which have been the basis from which our keen involvement from a variety of public- recommendations have been developed. sector and third-sector organisations in the development of schemes and We hope our recommendations will be initiatives addressing learning disability addressed in the Government’s We hope hate crime, the underreporting of such our recommendations will be addressed acts limits the acknowledgement and in the refresh of the Government’s Hate understanding of the severity of the Crime action plan, published later in situation. Many people with learning 2018. Our main recommendation is for disabilities are unaware that they are key partners across the sectors to work experiencing repeated acts of hate collaboratively to enforce and ensure crime, placing them in a very vulnerable citizens with a learning disability are position. However, without reasonable afforded the same rights and justice as adjustments to the justice, support and any other ‘parity of esteem’. community systems, such horrific abuse will continue. We all deserve to feel safe to live in our homes and community, and it is our duty to ensure this is reality.

36. Home Office. (2016) Action Against Hate. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hate-crime-action-plan-2016 40 Preventing Hate Crime

• Local authorities need to develop and improve inclusive mainstream services and publicise local good practice examples of citizen action projects (eg. The Friendship Group, pg 16) • The Department for Education must prioritise the compulsory inclusion of learning disability hate crime training in all schools. Ofsted then needs ensure each school is meeting this requirement. • The CPS needs to evaluate their current schools pack and seek the support of the Department for Education in promoting the materials to schools. • Local authority commissioners and the CQC need to check that housing providers are aware of and implement standardised learning disability hate crime training and feeling safe at home programmes. This to improve reporting procedures for residents. • The Department for Education needs to encourage schools to use Books Beyond Words and run book clubs, to support people with learning disabilities to access information.

Responding to Hate Crime

• Local authorities need to prioritise the implementation of learning disability hate crime action plans, using a holistic and strategic approach. • The National Police Chief Council need to prioritise and mandate accredited learning disability hate crime training to all staff within the justice system (e.g. Dimension Police Training pg 20).

Reporting of Hate Crime

• The Government needs to standardise police reporting systems, to ensure learning disability hate crimes are correctly recorded and reasonable adjustments are made to support the victims when reporting the incident (e.g. Surrey Police SCARF and Pegasus systems pg 36). • The Police Chief Officer and the CPS then need to carry out regular audits to ensure incidents are correctly being flagged across police services. • The Government needs to fund research to review current reporting pathways and strengthen evidence for good practice examples mentioned in this report and previous reports. • The Home Office needs to implement standardised protocols, unify reporting pathways and evaluation methods for TPRCs and provide a forum for services to share learnings (e.g. via the True Vision website).37,38

37. http://www.report-it.org.uk/files/hate_crime_operational_guidance.pdf 38. https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/media/joint-inspection-victims-and- witnesses-20090429.pdf 41 Supporting Victims of Hate Crime

• The Home Office needs to further research safe place schemes. Subject to evaluation, they can fund the Safe Place Organisation to nationally coordinate the schemes across the UK. • The Police and Crime Commissioners to work with local authorities to review current victim support services. Each local authority should consult with local experts by experience to ensure services are adequately supporting victims of learning disability hate crime.

Collecting Hate Crime Data

• The Government to request disaggregated statistics for hate crime against people with learning disabilities because they are more susceptible to hate crime and less likely to report it. This should be actioned by the ONS in the Crime Survey and by police in the routine recording.

42 People with learning disabilities are being ignored. Stop and listen to us, support us. Meet me halfway and give me what I need.

I am an individual like you, no different. No more, no less. We are part of society, we always have been and always will be.

It makes me very angry that the lives of people with learning disabilities are so bad… Everyone is a valid person on this Earth.

43 For further information contact: Christine Burke Head Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities Email [email protected]

#stoplearningdisabilitieshatecrime

To read the digital report and the Easier to Read report, please visit: learningdisabilityhatecrime.mentalhealth.org.uk

Researched and published by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, part of the Mental Health Foundation, and supported by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

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